Hunu

Based in Rochester, NY, Hunu? (who-knew?) is a band whose members have been drawn from some of the most exceptionally talented groups of musicians to grace the stages of Upstate New York: Rita Coulter, Jim McAvaney and John Ebert (most recently of the Colorblind James Experience), Don Christiano and Mike Wittek (The Meteors, Captain Spaulding, Cuttin’ the Grass, Don’t Call Me Junior) and Jason R. Titus, all the way from Pittsburgh, by way of the Eastman School of Music.

One late summer day, while contemplating their fate following yet another personnel change and not quite ready to give up, Hunu? decided to play just exactly what they wanted to, and what they wanted to play was alternative country. Having grown up with and admired the music of Doug Sahm, Steve Earle, John Prine, Gram Parsons, Townes Van Zandt, Johnny Cash and the Carter Family, and really, really liking the sound of more recently acclaimed artists, such as Blue Rodeo, Drive By Truckers, Lucinda Williams, Hank III, Uncle Tupelo, Del McCoury, et. al., they were moved to just play like they don't need the money.

What has evolved is a great gathering of harmony, guitar, mandolin, drums, and the occasional trombone solo, that will have you grinning and grooving, and wondering what took them so long! This is the sound of the past blending with the future. It's rock and roll with a twang, and Hunu does it well. Come on out and see what you've been missing here in the Great Northeastern USA.

BuddhaHood

The BuddhaHood presents an exciting, lively, energetic, and fresh-sounding repertoire of music. This 8 piece group includes the standard rhythm section with auxiliary percussion, steel drums, and horns, and there are times when every member of the band picks up a percussion instrument and participates in a massive drum jam. Such an array of instruments allows the band a huge color pallette, used effectively in painting the perfect sonic environment for each song.

The members of The BuddhaHood are of vastly different musical backgrounds, creating a frothing melting-pot of ideas in which decades, even centuries of diverse musical influences converge to form tunes with innovation, nuance, and pure groove power. This could be the reason their music as a whole completely defies labels. The colorful repertoire displays influences of rock, funk, jazz, Latin American, Caribbean, African, and Middle Eastern sources. The tunes are all original, except for the handful of traditional African and Middle Eastern drum motives to which African dancers and belly dancers (Sahara Shimmer) can strut their stuff. Percussion, therefore, plays an integral role, bringing the primal self closer to the surface through the repetition of ancient rhythms.

All this variety and craziness contributes to a dynamically colorful, electric show that attracts an audience as eclectic as the band itself. Each BuddhaHood performance bubbles along with unstoppable rhythm, and everyone gets caught in the flow. Once people start dancing, the groove never lets them stop. This band creates a fun, friendly, and open atmosphere, and you can never expect the same thing at any two shows. What you CAN expect is a performance full of surprises, many dancing bodies, perspiration, an elevated heart rate, and creative tunes that are as uplifting spiritually and emotionally as they are physically.

Bobby Henrie and the Goners

Bobby Henrie and the Goners have been refining their repertoire of classic Rockabilly with their own originals, in the ‘roots’ tradition, for over 20 years. This legendary red-hot trio brings together virtuoso guitar and smooth vocals with a throbbing rhythm section of upright bass and drums playing vintage Rock-n-Roll with a superbly danceable beat!

Bobby Henrie is a performer of exceptional ability and range. With an unorthodox (flipped lefty) guitar technique, he can rip through a heady brew of raw roots rock, blistering flatpicking, smokin’ blues and smooth jazz. Bobby’s vocals are heartfelt and true to each song, whether it’s tough rockin’ or sultry swing. The Goners add their special brand of jumpin’ rhythm with Brian Williams playing killer slap bass and Jim Symonds on soulful drums creating just the right groove for each tune. Their performance offers a hot mix of rarefied songs and instrumentals played with excitement, freshness and finesse.


Lisa Bigwood and the Kitchen Syncopators

The Kitchen Syncopators are a 4 piece band, with a bluegrassy, Americana-style flair. Lisa Bigwood, their lead vocalist, is a nationally known songwriter, whose first two studio CD’s were Grammy contenders in 1995 and 1996. Her 3rd CD, with an anticipated release date in late 2007, is already receiving preliminary airplay on folk radio across the country. Lisa lives in Naples, and began to bring this group of musician friends together this past spring, for some fun and jamming. Fun was definitely had, the chemistry was undeniable, and a band was born. The Syncopators play mostly Lisa’s original songs, but you will hear some of their favorites by other songwriters in the mix, too.

T-Bone Farley, on guitar and vocals, is a well-known local musician, who most recently played with Cuttin’ The Grass. John “Mandoboy” Denniston, on, you guessed it, mandolin, is also with Seneca County Bluegrass. Elaine Verstraete, on bass, plays with Brooke Pevear as well, as According Two brooke and elaine.

Four friends, doing what they’ve all loved and dreamed of all their lives…when you see the Kitchen Syncopators play, that is what you see, and that is what you hear. To quote an audience member, “I’ve never seen anyone look so completely happy, doing what they do...it made me happy, just listening!”



Trevor MacDonald

Trevor started out in his teens touring with roots band Donna The Buffalo. He has since logged over 100,000 miles with his own Roots Rock Zydeco band Sunny Weather.

Trevor is now focusing towards the spirit of Dylan, Cash, and Springsteen, while making his own purchase on the Americana tradition. When not performing live or writing, Trevor spends his time producing - most recently The Sim Redmond Band's "Each New Day", now being released in the U.S. and Japan.

Trevor's latest album "Porch Light" - out now on I-Town Records and Itunes - has received radio play and reviews from the Netherlands all the way to Australia.

The title track "Porch Light" is a featured song, on the Shut Eye Records compilation "the United States of Americana vol 4". The critically acclaimed "Porch Light" was also one of the Top Ten releases of 2005, according to The Ithaca Journal.

Trevor has performed with the Likes of Donna the Buffalo, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jim Lauderdale, The Waifs, John Anderson, The Avett Brothers, Tift Merrit, Odetta, Ramblin Jack Elliot, and Rusted Root. His music has been featured on MTV and NPR.


Joe Brucato

Joe Brucato was born in Rochester, New York surrounded by a very musical, humorous and dramatic family. Joe early on developed an optimistic passion for life. Creating his first song at fourteen, Joe discovered the joy he received from writing lyrics and melodies that is still with him today.

Joe moved to Los Angeles at age twenty-one where he honed his craft as a performer. Performing live shows in the LA club scene, he continued to develop his songwriting skills. In 1999 his first CD entitled "Swallow all of You" was released and has since become a cult classic. Several of the songs from the CD were performed in national television shows such as "Party of Five" and "The Young and the Restless".

In 2000, Joe received the male singer/songwriter of the year award at "The Los Angeles Music Awards" held at the House of Blues in LA. Joe's CD and vocal performance was chosen best over 2000 entires.

Joe has sung privately for President Ronald Reagan and has been the voice of countless regional and national advertising promotions including Buick, Chevrolet, Genesee Beer and The United Way Foundation. In May, 2007, he released his second CD entitled "Free" featuring the legendary drummer Steve Gadd and bassist Tony Levin. On April 13th and 14th 2007, for his CD release party, Joe performed two sold out shows featuring live performances with Steve Gadd and Tony Levin.

Joe is currently pursuing label interest or distribution for his CD's and film or television music supervisors looking for quality original material.